Apparatus for compressing gas or air.



' c. SCOTT-SNELL;

APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING GAS 0R A'IR.

uwmmw C. SCOTT-SNELL. APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING GAS OR AIR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. 1918.

Patented June 25, 1918.

FOAM;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENWIW 6.500%:-

SneZZ 'A'I'IIIIINIIY C. SCOTT-SNELL.

APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING GAS OR AIR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, I918. LQWAWI Patented June 25, 1918.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVEI IWIII CScoZZ-Sell C. SCOTT-SNELL.

APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING GAS 0R AIR.

4 SHEETS-SHEEF 4.

Patented June 25, 1918.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. 1918.

M WWW CHARLES SCOTT-SNELL, or RIDGWAY,WI1VBLEDON, ENGLAND, AssIcNoRor ONEeHALF T0 SIBLEYS LIMITED, or LoNDoN, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS IiOR COMPRESSING OR AIR.

remain Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 25, 1918.,

Application filed February 5, 1918. Serial No. 215,529.

To all whom it may concern:

paratus in which air or gas iscompressed for use at a Bunsen burner and in which such compression is effected locally by the heat generated by combustion at said burner. Applied to incandescent gas lightingsuch compression increases the brilliancy of the light beyond that usual with gas used at ordinary low pressure.

An apparatus of this type has hitherto been operated by the Waste heat of the burner by placing directly over the source of heat a cylinder containing a movable piston or displacer and by means of reciprocation produced by variations of pressure in the cylinder acting upon a diaphragm connected mechanically with the displacer, the elastic fluid in the cylinder is transferred alternately to the cool and heated ends of the said cylinder, the expansion of the fluid under heat causing a delivery thereof to an adjacent reservoir and the condensing of the remnant causlng the replenishment of the cylinder by the partial vacuum which A follows, see my British Patent No. 14086 of Such an apparatus is greatlyaifectedf in its efficiency by the diiference in temperature between the extreme ends of the cylinder and as it containsspaces of considerable cubical capacity, or of as great cubicalcapacity as may be necessary where a separate condenser is used, there is a loss of delivery into the reservoir by the compression of the contents of thecondenser.

An operating cylinder as above described, when placed over the source of heat, loses efficiency through the cool end attaining a considerable degreeof temperature by the heat conductivity of the material forming the cylinder and the heat imparted by the consists in provldmg a series of pistons athot fluid which it condenses. p

The object of this invention is to reduce or avoid these dificlllties and disadvantages and enable higher efiiciencies and more reliable working to be obtained.

The invention consists in elastic fluid compressors of the type operated directly by heat preferably the Waste heat from combustion and having one or more of the followlng features:'

A reservoir heated from the heating zone and preferably interposed between the heating zone and the compressor, whereby-the operation of the latter is rendered more certain both in starting and Working combined with'a heating chamber. of small capacity at the source of heat connected to a passageway between the interior of the cylinder and its source of air supply, whereby the air under pressure on its way to the underside of the piston or displacer is highly heated when utilized.

The apparatus also comprises means consisting of a piston controlled delivery valve interposed betweenthe reservoir and the cylinder which is mechanically operated by a device attached to the piston, in which two diaphragms of difi'erent diameters receive pressure in opposite directions, the larger determining the resultant direction of motion, the effective area being the difference in the respective areas; by which means the air is allowed to pass from the reservoir to i the cylinder, and provide a starting impulse when thepiston or displacer is at the bottom of its stroke, and when this occurs itcreates aj'counterfiow of air to allow an overflow to the reservoir to take place. Further, an improved diaphragm or piston controlled exhaust valve, which, when the piston or displacer has risen to the limit of the upward motion, allows it to descend by opening communication with the atmosphere, and consequently the escape of the heated air assembled there.

A further feature comprises an automatic pressure controlled valve which is'interposed "between the reservoir and the'air supply pipe to the burner,.whereby the pressurein 'the reservoir must rise to a pie-arranged amount above atmosphere, before delivery of the air is made to theburnera A modified arrangement of the apparatus tached to a common rod, the latter passing through division walls arranged between the fror n the second division into the first .division,- "when required, .bpt preventing a reverse flow, thereby allowing pressure to-be quickly raised for operating the cylinder mec anism, and avo di gi hedel y whi .r ould be caused by having. to heat the stall contents Qfthew re Winj pistons, whereby the amount of :air operated upon by the piston rod motion is a multiple of that operated on by a single piston of the'saflne diameter; by means or this variation a shortpiston rod movement can eflfectively act upon a large volume oi air, without increasing the diameter of the cylinder. In a. further modification a reservoir can be subdivided by an internal division so that heat may be applied to one section .to cause pressure therein to operate'the working cyl- -..i-.nd.er wh,ile the coolrair enters, the second division when delivered ,f-ronijthe working cy inder, and a chec v ve commo n be tween. vthe. two. divisions, adm tting. airshow When a ,condenser (.foruse whereagasis onipre tl) p at twin thwy l an [having large cubical. capacity is provided withv means tor -cutting oil? all connection w e y i er, w t Pre su rat of the pistonyor displacer i'sin operation,

' losses in thefiuid :are thereby avoided in desion of thecondenser Qharge.

,lamp.

livering to the reservoir .dueto the compres- Various forms of myapparatusgare shown in the accompanying figuresin which:-

' Figure l is a section of an incandescent gas lamp supplied with compressed" air in .accordance with my invention.

- Fig- 1 isa detail ofla part-of th .Said

Fig, :2 is a section of a nodified fol-m whereinthevalves and operat ng device are I conveniently arranged forv compactness.

*Fig. 2 is a diagramillustrating another arrangement of parts used in Fig. 2.

,Fig. 3 is asection ,of n y apparatus Whereby short stroke of the; pistonis combined with large delivery from the cylinder.

in usin i es u d r rrs i 1 .0 d c ar to v atmosphere s permissible.

(err nt-1 9 i 5 3? is [a diagnamf oftheiconnections adaptedfora very large .cylindercapacity. V

Fig-,4 is a sectionshowing. internal and external condensing arrangements Where, as

'Fig. 4 is a d ta igl' of a valve used with the eest fF slr a s ei -eed superheater reservoir- A gare placed .imruediately'oventheBunsen burner and abo this is placed acylinder-B and piston-C, a hollow rod "(3' connecting the latter to a pair of diaphragms and phwhich being -di-fi e -'Qntial1 in diameter, provide dewjsirable effective-area .vvith; long travel. aris- .r-ing frorn. large d ameter, .Pressure-.ac.ts

' .-l on thefunder side of Dby clear passage V .w

from the cylinder, and upon the upper s1de 'necting it with the cylinder. being the larger diaphragm, pressure causes Iler, makes. its fullniovement suddenly. typical means 15 shown in F g. 1 where a pm 1111 the-arm Gr operates 111 a slot 111 the products of D through the hollow rod C at C con- Owing to D the piston to he lifted. An inlet check valve E admits atmosphere to the cylinder when required and a plug cock F controls the connections between the reservoir and the cylinder and the cylinder and its discharge to atmosphere. This plug cock is operatedv by link-work G ill-conjunction with the piston rod and by means as, for instance, a spring or a balance weight, in a well known manplug attachment G which has two angular faces'and always finishes its motion by pressure from the fiat surface on the spring G below the tacos. A diaphragm valve H subject to pressure from the reservoir, allows air :to vflow to the burner I through pipe H "(only when a preaarranged force is available) by liftin the valve H. A weighted blow-off valve? 2 prevents over-pressure.

.Onaccount of the weightof the piston the' plug in the cock F when is cold settles with its ports in the position shown in Fig. 1.

plus air, beyond the highly expanded portion under the piston, finds its way to the reservoir, increasing the ressure generally. At the end of the npwar stroke the plug is suddenly turned {5th of a. revolution anticlockwise, from the position shown in the section, by the action of the diaphragm D D on the connecting rod G, thus shutting off the reservoir, but connecting the pipe L t-oat nosphere. The piston C then descends, the contents on the under side passing to atmosphere and the spaceabove the piston receiving ,fresh air through the inlet valve At the end of the down stroke the plug valve is suddenly turned back to the first positiOn and the cycle is repeated. The cold air previously driven into the reservoir has in the meantime beenacquiring heat by cominingling with air already heated and still receiving heat.

Thus what may be called an elastic fluid .bo1ler.1s be ng pumped up until it reaches the pre-arranged pressure which actuates valve H and starts delivering compressed air to the burner, through the injector pipe H In apparatus which Works by transferring air from the top of a cylinder to the bottom by the annular clearance around the dis placer, the advantages of my system of an elastic fluid boiler are absent and the time allowance for heating the air to fill the space under the piston is only that occupied by a half stroke of the piston, whereas by my in vention the air may be many minutes in the boiler, before it is called upon to pass out, thus being effectually heated; further the proportion of air newly pumped into the boilermay be small, so that the chilling effect is minimized, while the heating efiect may be unlimited as theheat receiving area may be enormous without detriment to any other function of the apparatus. On the other hand to obtain large heating surface to the cylinder itself necessitates greatlength and high temperature to transfer the heat in the short time available.

The high temperature at the one end makes it difiicult to keep down the temperature at the other end, without great prolongation of the cylinder and displacer, which further reduces efliciency inasmuch as the annulus necessary for the passage of the air becomes of considerable cubical capacity and the compression of air therein on the expansion or upward stroke reduces the delivery to the reservoir. 111 my invention by discharging the heated air to the atmos-' phere instead of condensing it I make full use of the cylinder capacity beyond that 00- 'cupied by the displacer, whereas in conthe right-hand side and the chimney on the left. l'lhereservoiris practically as in Fig.

1-. The cylinderis divided into two parts B and B held apart by three arms M. The piston is also divided into two parts 0 and (I joined by a centralrod- N. Diaphragms l) and. D are used. differing slightly in di-..

ameter to give a preponderating influence to lifting force and capable of providing a long stroke by the relatively large'dian'ieter.

T he piston inthe upper section carries the inlet valve E and the upper part ofthe corresponding cylinder has an outlet valve P.

- In place of the spring controlled plug valve shown in Fig. 1, is a pair of tappet valves alsosprmg controlled. The uppervalve F "has the function of theports joining pipe K (in FigII) to the pipe E and the lower valve F has the function of the ports joining pipe L to the exhaust aperture at the top of the plug cock. The movements are spring controlled by the blade Q, in the rocking lever operated by the piston rod. Pressure from either of the two pins on the rod N,

acting on blade Q, is inoperative until the blade is forced against a claw in the lever G which then opens a valve against pressure, and the blade returns to normal position, thus rapidly finishing the valve travel. hen the lamp is cold the position of the respective parts is as shown in the drawing and the cycle of movements can be easily followed from the description of the working of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Both of these tappet valves when on their seats with pressure behind them tend to stay there in spite of force exerted through the feeble spring Q, but directly this is reinforced by a claw of the lever G the force removes the valve hitherto held on its seat by air pres sure, and the spring continues the direction of the valve rod until the other valve is seated.

Fig. 2 shows how the separate pistons may be carried by a rocking lever, the mechanical advantage due to unequal arms or to difference in dian'ieter insuring motion when pressure obtains.

n In 'Fig. 3 is shown a series of pistons working in unison in a cylinder with bulkheads, whereby ashort stroke is possible with a large delivery of air. The section shows the position of all parts when the upstroke is finished and valves set ready for the down stroke. The space above all the pistons is connected to a common pipe R, and

the space below to a common pipe S. The

inlet valve E has the same function as the action of the apparatus will be easilyunderstood without further description in view of eX Jla-nations of previous figures. 7

In FigJ3 is shown the reservolr divided into two parts A and A" convenient forany large delivery of. air as, for instance, provided by the apparatus shown 1n F 1g. 8. In

such a-case the pumped air enters the outer or large division A first, through valve T, but a continuous feed from this through valve-U, maintains a pressure in section A of the reservoir. This division'makes it unnecessaryto heat the whole reservoir of air where, to prevent pulsation, its'total capacity is very great. Further, where ram or snow may fall on thereservoir and cause condensation and lower the pressure, the

outer part maybe unprotected andremain cold without disadvantage. Delay is also avoided in starting it the whole body of air need not be heated before an operative pres I "sure israised.

In Fig. 4: is shown a s ection of a condensing pumping apparatus, z'. e. not discharging C works in a cylinder B by the pressure to atmosphere, in'which a displaced piston upon a piston diaphragm D. The dotted cover D joining piston to cylinder prevents leakage and may be of any flexible material such as rubber, toprovide unrestricted move- 1 1ient. Tl1e plug valve F111 the position shown causes reservoir pressure to obtam n the cylinder through pipeL and the piston is "lifted, delivering compressed air through the valve T into therese'rvoir, and supplying heated air through pipe L. to the bottom of the cylinder. On reaching the top ofthe stroke the plug valve is moved enough to "close delivery from pipe K and flow of heated air ceases. The momentum of the I piston, however, carries it on a little, tending to lessen pressure-below the. iston, and. 1n

' also.

crease it-ab'ove it. But the recoil causes the previously heated air at thebottom to pass up the annular space between. piston and cylinder and through valve V, which bypasses the packing, allowing the. piston to fall and transfer the hot air below it to the cooler end of the cylinder; the condensation that tollows causes inflow of fresh air through valve E until plug valve F is thrown Y 'back tothe position drawn, which restores "reservoir pressure and the cycle recommences. I p

In compress ng as, as connection with atmosphere is not admlssible, the valve E must'bc coupled, as shown dotted in Fig. 4, toagas supply-and if a separate condenser (as shown dotted and marked W.) beused 7 ftion as above described in connection with in place of the internalcondensing circulaair, a check-"valve X is provided at the top of the condenser and also extra ports as 3 shown in the enlarged diagram, Figzd bei low, so that when the plug :valve at end of piston" upstrokeis. turned g-th of a revolubottomof cylinder (shown dotted in Fig.

7 *piston. The valve V and its by-pass tube are not in thiscase required. At bottom of stroke the plug valve reverts'to the original 'position and reservoir pressure again obf -tain's. As the'connection with bottomof con- 1 l denser is then closedand the check valve X 'will'not allow pressure gas to enter the condenser it becomes temporarily disconnected,

An apparatus pressed fluid to burners comprising a fluid and its contents are not compressed thus avoidingany resulting loss. Small tubes Z running through the reservoir and dischargin into an annulus Z at the base of the ch mneys, help to rapidly generate pressure.

The figures throughout illustrate single acting apparatus but they may obviously be made double acting, by changes obvious to any skilled engineer, so that description is not necessary. Although plug cocks and tappet valves are described other types, such aslslide valves, for instance, may be used, and many minor modifications introduced without departing from the essential elements of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters, Patent is 1. An apparatus for furnishing compressed fluids to burners comprising a reservoir adapted to be heated and also adapted to receive the fluid to be compressed, a cylinder, a piston arranged in said cylinder, a passage connecting one end of the cylinder with said reservoir for conducting heated air to the cylinder to move said piston in one direction, a second passage connecting the other end of the cylinder to the rescrvoir for conducting fluid displaced by the piston in its movement under the influence of the heated fluid to said reservoir, means for permitting the heated fluid to exhaust from the cylinder, means for admitting a fresh-charge offluid to the end of the cylinder connected to the second passage when the heated fluid exhausts, a third passage connecting the reservoir to the burner, and

a valveoperated by pressure in the reservoir for controlling the fluid admitted to the third passage.

for furnishing comreservoir adapted to be heated by the burner, a cylinder containing a piston, a

passage connecting the underside of the cyllnder with the reservoir, a second passage connecting the upper end of the cylinder to the reservoir, means controlled by the move- -ment of the piston for permitting the exhaust of fluid from the underside of the cyl- :inder, means for admitting a fresh charge of fluidto the upper end of the cylinder when-fluid exhausts from the underside of the cylinder, a pipe connecting the reservoir and burner, a valve controlled by pres- Isure in said reservoir for admitting fluid pressed-fluid to burners comprising a fluid .reservoir arranged above the burner and adapted to be heated by said burner, :1. cylinder, a piston arranged in said cylinder, a superheater, arranged above the burner and heated thereby, a passage connecting the superboatcr and reservoir, a Second passage connecting the superheater and cylinder, means for admitting a fresh charge of fluid on one side of the piston, a pipe connecting the cylinder and. reservoir for conducting the fresh charge to the reservoir when the heated fluid moves said piston, and a passage connecting said reservoir to the burner.

4:. An apparatus for furnishing compressed fluid to burners comprising a reservoir adapted to be heated and adapted to receive the fluid, a pipe connecting the reservoir and burner, a cylinder isolated from and communicating with said reservoir and having a piston operated by fluid heated in said reservoir, means for exhausting the heated fluid from said cylinder after it has moved said piston, and means for admitting a fresh charge of fluid to said cylinder simultaneously with the exhaust of the heated fluid from said cylinder.

5. In an apparatus for furnishing compressed fluid to burners, a reservoir for fluid adapted to be heated, a cylinder, a piston located in said cylinder and provided with a piston rod, a conduit connecting said cylinder to the reservoir for conveying heated fluid from the reservoir to the cylinder on one side of the piston, a passage connecting the cylinder on the other side of the piston, to said reservoir for conveying, compressed fluid to the reservoir, means controlled by the piston rod for shutting ofl' the heated fluid from the cylinder when said piston is at the end of its compression stroke, means for exhausting the heated fluid from the cylinder, and means foradmitting a fresh charge of fluid to the cylinder when the heated fluid exhausts.

6. In an apparatus of the class described a reservoir in which the fluid is adapted to be heated, means isolated from and operated by fluid heated in the reservoir for admitting a fresh charge of fluid to the reservoir and compressing the same, and a pressure control valve for said reservoir.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a reservoir in which the fluidis adapted to be heated, a superheater, means isolated from and operated by the fluid heated in the reservoir and superheater for admitting a fresh charge of fluid to the reservoir and compressing the same, and a pressure control valve for the reservoir.

8. In an apparatus of the class described a reservoir in which the fluid is adapted to be heated arranged above the burner, means isolated fromand operated by fluid heated in the reservoir for admitting a fresh charge of fluid to the reservoir .and compressing the same, and a pressure control valve for said reservoir.

9. In an apparatus for furnishing compressed fluid to burners, a reservoir in which the fluid is adapted to be heated, a cylinder isolated fromsaid reservoir and having dividing walls separating the interior of the same into chambers, pistons in said chambers and having a common piston rod, a pas sage connecting the chambers with said reservoir for conveying fluid heated in the reservoir to one side of the pistons, another passage connecting the chambers with said reservoir for conveying the fluid displaced by the pistons to said reservoir, means for permittin exhaust of the heated fluid from the cham ers, and means for admitting fresh fluid to the chambers simultaneously with the exhaust of the. heated fluid.

10. In an apparatus of the class described,

chamber for admitting fresh fluid to the other chamber and for compressing fluid in said reservoir.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, a reservoir adapted to be heated, a cylinder, a piston located in said cylinder, a pipe connecting said reservoir to said cylinder for conducting fluid heated in said reservoir to said cylinder, means for admitting fresh fluid to the cylinder, a passage for conveying fluid compressed by the piston to said reservoir, a condenser, pipes connecting said condenser to both ends of the cylinder, and a valve arranged in the first named pipe and controlled by the piston, for simultaneously shutting off the passage of heated fluid to the cylinder, and permitting the heated fluid from the cylinder to exhaust into the condenser.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES SCOTT-SNELL.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G. 

